Fig. 6.

HOXB7 up-regulated c-Myc and Slug expression via the AKT pathway to promote HCC progression. a, b RT-PCR was used to investigate the effect of HOXB7 on stemness and metastasis related genes such as Sox2, Sox9, c-Myc, Oct4, Slug and Twist1 in SMMC-7721 and HepG2 cells (*, P < 0.05; **, P < 0.01; ***, P < 0.001). c, d The expression of AKT, p-AKT, ERK, p-ERK, p-38, p-p38, SMAD3 and p-SMAD3 in hepatoma cells were analysed by western blot. e, f HOXB7 up-regulated EPCAM, NANOG, Slug, c-Myc and promoted phosphorylation of AKT. g Pharmacologically inhibiting AKT depressed the effect of HOXB7 on c-Myc and Slug expression